Chapter XII.

The difference between matters of precept and of counsel
is treated of, as shown in the case of the young man in the Gospel, and
the difference of the rewards set forth both for counsels and precepts
is spoken of.

72. Marriage, then,
is honourable, but chastity is more honourable, for “he that
giveth his virgin in marriage doeth well, but he that giveth her not in
marriage doeth better.”338033801 Cor. vii. 28. That,
then, which is good need not be avoided, but that which is better
should be chosen. And so it is not laid upon any, but set before
him. And, therefore, the Apostle said well:
“Concerning virgins I have no commandment of the Lord, yet I give
my counsel.”338133811 Cor. vii. 25. For a
command is issued to those subject, counsel is given to friends.
Where there is a commandment, there is a law; where counsel, there is
grace. A commandment is given to enforce what is according to
nature, a counsel to incite us to follow grace. And, therefore,
the Law was given to the Jews, but grace was reserved for the
elect. The Law was given that, through fear of punishment, it
might recall those who were wandering beyond the limits of nature, to
their observance, but grace to incite the elect both by the desire of
good things, and also by the promised rewards.

73. You will see the difference between
precept and counsel, if you remember the case of him in the Gospel, to
whom it is first commanded to do no murder, not to commit adultery, not
to bear false witness; for that is a commandment which has a penalty
for its transgression. But when he said that he had fulfilled all
the commandments of the Law, there is given to him a counsel that he
should sell all that he had and follow the Lord,33823382 S.
Matt. xix.
18–21. for these things are not imposed as
commands, but are offered as counsels. For there are two ways of
commanding things, one by way of precept, the other by way of
counsel. And so the Lord in one way says: “Thou shalt
not kill,” where He gives a commandment; in the other He
says: “If thou wilt be perfect, sell all that thou
hast.” He is, then, not bound by a commandment to whom the
choice is left.

74. And so they who have fulfilled the
commandments are able to say: “We are unprofitable
servants, we have done that which was our duty to do.”33833383 S.
Luke xvii. 10. The virgin does not say this,
nor he who sold all his goods, but they rather await the
stored-up
404rewards like
the holy Apostle who says: “Behold we have forsaken all and
followed Thee, what shall we have therefore?”33843384 S.
Matt. xix. 27. He says not, like the
unprofitable servant, that he has done that which was his duty to do,
but as being profitable to his Master, because he has multiplied the
talents entrusted to him by the increase he has gained, having a good
conscience, and without anxiety as to his merits he expects the reward
of his faith and virtue. And so it is said to him and the
others: “Ye which have followed Me, in the regeneration,
when the Son of Man shall sit in the throne of His glory, shall also
yourselves sit upon twelve thrones, judging the tribes of
Israel.”33853385 S. Matt. xix. 28. And to
those who had faithfully preserved their talents He promises rewards
indeed, though smaller saying: “Because thou hast been
faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many
things.”33863386 S.
Matt. xxv. 21. Good
faith, then, is due, but mercy is in the rewards. He who has kept
good faith has deserved that good faith should be kept with him; he who
has made good profit, because he has not sought his own benefit, has
gained a claim to a heavenly reward.